To the Editor:
It’s been four years since I signed the Five Former Mayors Letter. Since that time most, if not all, of my concerns have been realized, unfortunately. The facts speak for themselves, the problems do not need to be repeated. If you have watched council meetings you understand that our local government isn’t working on several levels. Our town needs help, most of all Fillmore needs fresh views on the city council. I have personally met Manual Minjares, Doug Tucker and Rick Neal and have heard them speak on topics to get Fillmore working again. I recommend Manual Minjares, Douglas Tucker and Rick Neal for City Council, they have my full support.
Sincerely
Don Gunderson
Former Mayor City of Fillmore

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To the Editor:
While walking into the super market the other weekend and I was stopped by Gary Creagle who wanted to talk about the election and the people he’s supporting. I wasn’t interested but you know Gary Creagle he’ll say just about anything. Well he started talking about sewer rates and how past councils made bad decisions and how his people would fix the problem if they are reelected. I don’t need him to tell me the sewer rates are high. While I don’t like it I’ve come to terms with it. What set me off was his talking points about “his people” fixing the problem if they are reelected. His people “took Fillmore back” 4 years ago and haven’t done squat to fix much of anything that I can see. They’ve had 4 years to do something about it and they haven’t, but now they want to get reelected they’re talking about it. The only thing they’ve done is increase sewer rates and give people who have old bills a break.
Sincerey,
Zack Cooper
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
I have had the honor of working on regional committees with Mayor Washburn and have found her to be a lady of high integrity who is caring and very dedicated to the residents of Fillmore. The City and the region will benefit from her continued service and so I encourage voters to re-elect Gayle Washburn to the City Council.
Linda Parks
Ventura County Supervisor

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To the Editor:
Fillmore needs Washburn, Brooks and Pella
What would the state of Fillmore be if Neal, Tucker, and Minjares, are elected? Who will represent Fillmore at the county and state level?
Fillmore saw a lack of representation when Conaway was mayor. He was not present for a crucial vote on the number of housing units Fillmore would build. Due to his absence, the number exceeded what is feasible or what the citizens desired. He did not represent the interests of Fillmore.
Meetings at county commissions and districts vary from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. At the last council meeting the loss of public transportation was on the agenda. Fillmore residents depend of VISTA to get to and from work and school. Currently Pro Tem Brooks represents Fillmore at VCTC and its other subcommittees. Will Neal, Tucker or Minjares leave their jobs and represent you?
Neal owns two businesses in town. If he is mopping up a water leak, will he leave his paying job for no pay? Tucker works in the San Fernando Valley. Will he leave his job to fulfill his elected duties? Manny Minjares works for Cabrillo Economic Development, he may have a conflict of interest.
Don’t take a chance your voice will be heard. We cannot afford to think our concerns stop at the city limits. If our electeds don’t make time to have a seat at the table what makes you think there will be a place when the issues are critical?
Vote Washburn, Brooks and Pella for City Council.
Susan Ann Lewis

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To the Editor:
Clay Westling, Fillmore City Clerk, goes down to City Hall, Monday through Friday, sometimes Saturday, to do City business. Clay spends approximately 80 hours each month representing you. How? he administers the elections, complies with Public Records Act requests, coordinates and administers citation reviews, and signs City checks, to name a few of his jobs. For all of these duties, and more, he makes $25 a month, or thirty-one cents an hour.
Monday through Friday Nancy Meyers goes outside of the city to work. Nancy will not be available to represent you. So who will do the work of the City Clerk if Nancy Meyers is elected? Someone will have to be hired…. maybe even part-time. Regardless, you, the taxpayer, will have to pay for that someone to do the work Clay is doing. Believe you me; it will cost more than the thirty-one cents an hour you are currently paying. Oh, and by the way, you’ll still have to pay Nancy the $25 a month.
Join me and vote for Clay Westling for Fillmore City Clerk.
Elizabeth Hildebrand
Fillmore

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To the Editor:
Women care about America. We know there are many issues that impact us. As a young woman, I am concerned that politicians have singled my gender out as one who only cares about reproductive rights. That somehow, my mind has only been able to comprehend and care about one issue and that one issue defines me as a person. Groups of individuals would even like me to believe that if a politician hasn't spent all of their time and effort on reproductive rights and accompanying federal funding, that the politician is "against" women.
This couldn't be further from the truth.
As a woman, I believe strongly in helping small businesses create jobs. In fact, in the US, women are starting up businesses at a rate of 2 to 1 over their male counterparts. This is a woman's issue. I care about all of our children's education in this great state. This directly benefits women - it directly benefits everyone. I have always cared about the protection of our seniors by strengthening Social Security and Medicare. Women represent 57 percent of all Social Security beneficiaries age 62 and older and approximately 68 percent of beneficiaries age 85 and older. When politicians fight for reform and sustainability, they are fighting for women.
In regards to reproductive rights, I have always had access to birth control and I do not utilize Planned Parenthood. I have always had a choice, as do all women in America, and I am pro-life. I want a congressional representative who will fight to strengthen our economy and enable Ventura County's small business women and men to create jobs. We need a representative who will ensure our children's education is top notch and prepares them for the jobs of the future.
We need a representative who will strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Tony Strickland is running for the U.S. Congress to represent Venture County and has listed these as his top priorities.
This insight shows me that he worries about issues that impact women and he fights for women.
Heidi Neal
Oxnard

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To the Editor:
Letter to the Editor - Why should I vote for...?
Why should I vote for Tony Strickland? As a mother of three, with 3rd generation family in our community, I felt compelled to write this letter to share why Tony Strickland has my vote.
Tony is more than just a name on a flyer. His character, ethics, and conduct are what we need representing our community. He has lived in Ventura County for over 40 years and understands our needs. He’s a family man with great values and has the love and support of his wife and family. He appreciates mothers and the tremendous responsibility we share in raising our children. He cares deeply about our county, its future, and promotes unity in our government.
He passionately strives to make our community, schools, and neighborhoods better and will put in the time and effort needed to make that happen. He has successfully served California for many years. I can’t imagine
choosing a representative for Ventura County who has never lived here. Why?
How could they possibly understand our needs? They can’t! Think long and hard about what’s important. I value integrity, strong values, experience, and consistent leadership. I’m voting for my neighbor, Tony Strickland, I hope you do too!
Deborah Cassar
Moorpark

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To the Editor:
Youth, Jobs, and Taxes
Job hunting in America today has become increasingly difficult today for young people. I would know this because I'm one of those young people. I have applied to place after place and have barely had some much as an interview for only a couple of them. I couldn't even get a job at the Taco Bell that my older brother worked at for 6 months. I'm tried of getting turned down and I want to do something about. Which is why this November I plan on voting for Tony Strickland for Congress.
Tony Strickland has constantly fought against raising taxes. From what I learned in my US Government class this is good news for me. With taxes being lowered, businesses will have more money to pay employees and thus being able to hire more people. With this in mind, I plan on voting for Tony Strickland so I have a better chance a getting a job I need.
Nicholas W. Dueñas
Thousand Oaks

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To the Editor:
Tony Strickland is FOR Women
As a woman, I am appalled at the accusation that voting for Tony Strickland would be a vote against women. OPEN YOUR EYES WOMEN. Politicians who gain your vote simply because you are told the opposing party does not support women, only further weakens our image in society. If you DO YOUR RESEARCH you will see that Tony Strickland, a modern Republican can represent your needs better than an unfamiliar Julia Brownley. If Nancy Pelosi can place Brownley here for her personal gains in Congress then doesn't that exemplify female corruption in government? Yes women can be corrupt too. Do not be blinded by "War on Women"; It is a fictional war designed to scare you into voting a certain way.
Show the country, and our county, that you are smarter than that. Show that as a woman you can make a choice, BASED ON YOUR BELIEFS, not on silly political lies that are being used against you by those who see you as a gullible population. Tony supports women, if you do not believe me then please refer to his work with the Healthy Families Program, Jaquelyn's Bill, and SB 966 protecting Domestic Violence victims. A vote for Tony is a vote for women.
Whitney Beatty
Camarillo

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To the Editor:
The middle class is struggling, and has been for far too long. Our community’s next representative has to be a fighter for the middle class. While Julia Brownley wants us to believe that’s her, her record just doesn’t cut it.
How can you vote for higher sales taxes, higher car taxes, higher income taxes, and still call yourself an advocate for the middle class? The burden of these taxes, particularly the sales tax and car tax, falls disproportionately on the middle class. Couldn’t middle class families use some relief in this economy? How many of us can afford to pay Brownley’s new taxes?
And at the same time she’s been raising taxes on us, she’s been cutting programs for us. Case in point? Healthy Families, a program to provide healthcare for working class families. Brownley voted to cut the program while her opponent, Tony Strickland, has been working across the aisle with Democrat Fran Pavley to reinstate it.
We’ve made tough decisions. We’ve cut back. Brownley hasn’t. She still voted to spend billions we don’t have on a railroad that doesn’t touch our county. And while she talks about forcing the rich to pay more, it’s the middle class she’s been squeezing for the dough.
Brownley talks a good game; no doubt about it. But when it comes time to vote, the middle class isn’t anything more to her than a credit card.
Andrew Murcia
Camarillo

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To the Editor:
As a student about to attend college the thought of further cuts to education frightens me. Why? Because I know that if more cuts are made to our public educational system, I will be slapped with the bill. It will come down to choosing whether I take out ridiculous loans that will take me decades to pay off or not attending college because I simply won’t be able to afford it.
There is no point in denying that cuts to our education won’t stifle our growth and the prosperity of our youth. Especially now when it is imperative for students to get a higher education to acquire a job is it vital that we do our best to secure this fragile system. If we don’t, middle and lower-income families alike will see the opportunities in front of them severely diminish.
Now more than ever we must come together and elect a Congressional candidate who will protect and improve our educational system, without further worsening our financial situation. We need someone who will balance the budget, invest in the education of the leaders of tomorrow, and find a way to bring back opportunities for the youth of today.
This November when you cast your ballot, do the right thing for the kids across America and join me in electing Tony Strickland to congress. He is the only person who can truly find a solution to the adversities that we are facing. Unlike his opponent, he lives in this county and knows exactly what it takes to improve our education. With two children of his own, I know he will make the decisions necessary to improve our county.
As a soon to be college student I trust Tony Strickland and believe that he will find the solutions to the problems we face.
Otto Tielemans
Ventura

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To the Editor:
ARE YOU CONFUSED ?
This is a time of year that every two years, and particularly every four years, I become agitated and distressed by the volume of advertisements and differing opinions attempting to distort the truth about what and who we need to approve by our votes. I have found that during this period what gives me the most peace and assurance that I am not being led by the deceptive lies bought and paid for by special interest organizations is through a certain acronym in a period when it seems there is an acronym for everything under the sun. This is a very well recognized name but very few realize that the name is an acronym as well. This word, this name is BIBLE.
Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.
When you view the propositions, the Party platforms, their purpose to get your much needed vote, and even the candidates, it becomes much easier to make a right decision. If you lay aside your party affiliation, set aside the directions given you by the unions and other special interest groups, ignore the voices of the media and well recognized personalities and vote the BIBLE you can be assured that the GOD who founded our nation will direct you in the right direction.
The reason America has lasted longer than any other nation is that the founding fathers voted the Bible in establishing the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. We were given the right to live under laws established by GOD for the benefit of everyone. Vote the Bible. What does the Bible say about same sex marriage and the taking away of the right to life of the unborn as promoted by Planned Parenthood? What does the Bible say about the freedom of choice? Can unions and parties make demands that you donate your funds to promote their ideals? Can government demand that the name of Jesus be removed from the prayers of our military establishments and from our police departments? Don’t be confused and give up you rights.
VOTE THE BIBLE
S. Mason